Course Title: Conduct biological surveys

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: MATH7059C

Course Title: Conduct biological surveys

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5305 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4309

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

The Course Teacher is:
Nevil Schultz

nevil.schultz@rmit.edu.au  
Room 51.7.05    
Phone: 9925 4221

Nominal Hours: 200

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are none

Course Description

This unit covers the processes involved with conducting biological surveys and defines the standard required to: identify the scope, objectives and constraints for a biological survey according to client requirements, the biological components to be surveyed and enterprise policy; assess the availability of current data and determine data collection and processing needs; identify biological indicators that are repeatable and statistically representative; document survey methods and indicators as a survey plan; schedule survey activities and establish access to the site; conduct a biological survey with data collection staged and recorded according to the survey plan; produce a biological survey report with detailed analysis and conclusion, including a description and assessment of the specified biological components.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

AHCNAR502A Conduct biological surveys

Element:

1. Carry out preliminary design activities for the biological survey

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Survey scope, objectives and constraints are identified according to client requirements, biological components to be surveyed and enterprise policy.
1.2. All current data relevant to survey requirements is sourced, collated and evaluated according to enterprise policy.
1.3. Processes for data collection are developed, consistent with the survey scope, objectives and constraints.
1.4. Processes for data processing are developed, consistent with the survey scope, objectives and constraints.
1.5. A survey design that reflects client requirements and survey scope, objectives and constraints is developed and presented to the client for discussion and
 

Element:

2.Determine requirements of the biological survey

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Survey indicators are identified and constraints and opportunities for data collection identified and evaluated.
2.2. Data collection points are identified that are repeatable and statistically representative for the biological survey.
2.3. OHS hazards associated with conducting a biological survey are identified; risks assessed and controls developed according to enterprise guidelines, costed and documented in the survey design.
2.4. Tools, equipment and machinery required for the biological survey are identified, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel.
2.5. Scheduling of survey activities and surveyor access are determined according to the survey design.
2.6. Survey procedures and schedules are documented according to scientific conventions and the survey scope and objectives, and are presented to appropriate personnel and the client for briefing and acceptance.
 

Element:

3. Conduct the biological survey

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Field visits are conducted to verify and consolidate previously collected data and to gather further information on species frequency, distribution, and health and/or habitat values.
3.2. The biological survey is conducted according to the survey design and enterprise policy.
3.3. Survey activities are monitored for accuracy, compliance to the survey design and out-of-specification procedures or events.
3.4. Staged data collection is undertaken according to survey design, survey scheduling and surveyor access requirements.
3.5. All monitoring and survey data is recorded promptly and accurately, according to the specifications of the survey design.
 

Element:

4. Compile a biological survey report

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Analysis of collected data is undertaken according to industry policies and guidelines.
4.2. Conclusions about the biological survey are drawn from relevant information and are based on appropriate evidence and reasoned arguments.
4.3. A biological survey report is produced which conforms to industry standards for presentation, structure and content, and is presented to the client for acceptance.
4.4. The report describes biological survey findings according to the survey scope and objectives, identifies areas requiring remedial action for improvement and details recommendations for action.
 

Learning Outcomes


By the completion of this course students will have gained the following capabilities

  • identify the scope, objectives and constraints for a biological survey according to client requirements, the biological components to be
    surveyed and enterprise policy
  • assess the availability of current data and determine data collection and processing needs
  • identify biological indicators that are repeatable and statistically representative
  • document survey methods and indicators as a survey plan
  • schedule survey activities and establish access to the site
  • conduct a biological survey with data collection staged and recorded according to the survey plan
  • produce a biological survey report with detailed analysis and conclusion, including a description and
    assessment of the specified biological components.


Details of Learning Activities

Classroom Instruction, Practical Work, Local Conservation reserve visits, Working in Survey Teams, Consultation with potential biological survey clients, Collaboration with non-government conservation organisations, Liaison with Parks Victoria, Guest Speakers, Discussion groups, Survey Design Work, Reviewing biological reports, Gathering past data to inform surveys and interpretation of results, Researching legal requirements of surveys, Designing Client Briefs, Whole Biological Survey Field Trip, Data Analysis, Report Writing.


Teaching Schedule

2014 Dates

Conduct Biological Surveys

 Class Date TopicPrac/Activity Assessment  Due Date 12 Feb  Biological Classification Systems 1 Intro to resources, field work dates   19 Feb Biological Classification Systems 2 Keys for Phyla Class & Order in vertebrates & Invertebrates   26 Feb Launch Field Survey  Scoping Assignment(Assess 1) Client Requirements scale & timing of a survey  

 

 5 Mar Amphibian Research Task 

 

 

 12 Mar

 Avifauna

recognition

 Avifauna Survey Techniques

 

Assessment 1, Part A
Amphibian Survey Rationale & Method

 

12 Mar

 19 Mar Reptile Surveys 

Client Requirements for an Avifauna Survey

  26 Mar  Bird Survey Field Trip 26 March  2 Apr Mammalian Surveys 

Assessment 1, Part B
Avifauna monitoring plan & results

 
2 Apr9  April Launch Client Brief for a Biological Survey OHS , Risk Management at Survey Sites   16  April 

   Prac: Invertebrate Identification

Assessment 1, Part C
Reptile Survey Site Requirement with threatened species focus

 

 

due 16 April 23 April

 Easter Break

 

   30 April Terrestrial Invertebrate Survey Techniques  Invertebrate Field Survey 30 April  7 May Legal Requirements for Field Surveys  Invertebrate Classification On-Line Quiz   14 May  Heywood   21 May

 Materials Estimation & Costing Biological

 Discussion on Client Briefs

   28 MaySurveysAquatic Vertebrate

 

 

Guest Speaker( Field Trip TBA)

Assessment 2
Client Requirements for a survey (Draft)

 27 May4 June 

Client Briefing Talks

 

Assessment 2
Client Brief Talks

  4 Jun 11 June Client Briefing Talks
  

Client Brief Talks

 

12 June 16 June - 6 July  MID YEAR BREAK   9 JulyFactors Influencing Population Numbers 1    16 July Factors Influencing Population Numbers  2    23 JulyIntroduction to Data Review

 Launch Data Review

Guest Speaker

   30 July

Ecological Principles & Analysis of Trend data

 

    6 Aug

  Energy Flows & Trophic Structures of  Communities.Survey Implications

 

 Biomass Calculation Practical   13 Aug Randomising Surveys, Interpretation of Survey results Quiz covering 10 &17 July, 31Jul & 7 Aug   20 Aug  Data Review Resources   27 AugLegal protection for Flora & Fauna    3 Sept  Plant Recognition   

 10 Sept

 Plant Survey Methods Revisiting Vegetation Quality Assessment

Assessment 3, Part A
Data Review Assignment

 

 11 Sept

 17 Sept Codes of Practice for Fauna Surveys Wonthaggi Field Survey Report Specification   24 Sept  MID SEM BREAK  1 Oct  Wonthaggi Survey Preparation  8 Oct 

 Wonthaggi Field Survey Week

6 - 10 Octinclusive

Assessment 3, Part B
Biological Survey Log Book

Assessment 3, Part C
Survey Interim Report

 

10th Oct

 15 Oct Class Data Analysis of Survey Findings Conservation strategies reviewed with updated  survey site data   22 Oct   Assessment 4  Wonthaggi Field Survey Report 23 Oct29 Oct Collection of Data Review Materials   


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course may include assignments, practical assessment , project work, tests and reports


Assessment Tasks

Task 1. Scoping Biological Survey Assignment,  (CA/NYC)  
Part A Amphibian Survey Rationale & Method- Due: 12th March 
Part B Avifauna monitoring plan & results,- Due: 2nd April 
Part C Reptile Survey Site Requirement-  Due: 16 April

Task 2. Client brief for a biological survey, (CA/NYC)
Client Brief Talks  held  4th & 11th June. Final briefing document due  12 June

Task3. Survey Site Data Review  & Staging Assignment. (CA/NYC) 
Part A:  Data Review,  Due: 11 Sept 
Part B:  Submit  Survey Log Book , Due: 10 October 
Part C:   Interim findings Report,  Due: 10th October

 Task 4. Field Survey Report. Graded (CHD,CDI, CC, CA, NYC)   Due 23 Oct


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Assessments

  • Extension of time for submission of assessable work- A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available on the web http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf ) at least the day before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for Special Consideration (form available on the Web).
  • For missed assessments such as assessments in class - you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged at the HUB or online with supporting evidence (eg medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of any in-class assessment such as a quiz.
  • Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected
  • If you miss an assessment task due to unavoidable circumstances, you need to follow the procedure of special consideration and apply within the allowed time frame

 

Students need to be assessed as competent (CA) in all four assessments to attain competency in this course

 

Course Nominal Length is 200 Hours comprising:

108 Class Contact Hours

48 Hours Field Work

40 Hours Research and Assignment Preparation

4 Hours Teacher Consultation

Course Overview: Access Course Overview